Aliet Green, a woman-owned enterprise based in Yogyakarta, has made a significant impact by empowering over 1,500 smallholder farmers, especially women, in Indonesia. Recognized for its innovative approach to climate change adaptation, the organization was awarded the prestigious Local Entrepreneurship category in the 2024 Local Adaptation Champions Awards, announced at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Local Adaptation Champions Awards, organized by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), highlight locally driven efforts to combat climate change and build resilience in vulnerable communities. Aliet Green stood out from 870 applications across four categories: Food Security, Water Security, Local Entrepreneurship, and Urban Adaptation Solutions. The awards aim to support initiatives that foster sustainable practices and create adaptive solutions for communities facing climate change’s severe consequences.

Aliet Green’s approach in the Kulon Progo region of Yogyakarta showcases the power of climate-smart technologies. These innovative solutions, such as the 3R (Recharge-Retain-Reuse) water management system and the introduction of resilient crops like dwarf coconut trees, have improved the climate resilience of local farming practices. Through this initiative, Aliet Green has successfully safeguarded 500 hectares of land, providing critical support to communities severely affected by prolonged droughts and floods.

CEO Lastiana Yulandari shared her vision for the enterprise: "We are here to equip farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate. Empowering farmers, especially women and those with disabilities, has been our priority.” Her leadership, focused on inclusivity and sustainability, has paved the way for innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.

Aliet Green's success is supported by the Tropical Landscape Grant Fund (TLGF), a UNEP initiative launched in 2021 with funding from Global Affairs Canada. TLGF provides technical assistance and grants to women-driven sustainable land-use enterprises, promoting gender equality and climate-smart agriculture. Aliet Green’s recognition through TLGF further highlights the growing importance of women-led initiatives in fostering sustainable development and addressing climate change.

The TLGF’s role in helping Aliet Green expand its reach aligns with its mission to create investment-ready projects and empower women in the land-use sector. Ivo Mulder, Head (ai) of the UNEP Climate Finance Unit, emphasized the importance of solutions that balance economic, business, and environmental perspectives. "As the climate crisis intensifies, it will become more and more important to find solutions that work from an economic, business, and environmental perspective," Mulder said.

This award underscores the significance of grassroots innovation in the fight against climate change. Aliet Green’s efforts serve as a blueprint for sustainable, locally led solutions that provide both economic and environmental benefits. With this recognition, the enterprise is poised to continue driving positive change and fostering resilience in Indonesia’s agricultural sector.